In addition to their functions in sounding fanfares for ceremonial purposes, they acted as heralds, announcing public ceremonies, making official proclamations, announcing royalty and announcing jousts. Royal court trumpeters acted as negotiators for the release of prisoners of war or political prisoners as they were regarded as officials of the royal court. In legal documents they were referred to as Heralds. It is probably from this historical fact that today; many regard all trumpeters as heralds.